Does 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging Have Adverse Effect on Cochlear Functions?

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 3 Tesla (3T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) noise on cochlear functions.

The distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) test was applied to patients who were scheduled to have 3T MRI in the tertiary care center. Patients who revealed emission amplitudes at all frequencies (1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz) in the DPOAE test before MRI were included in the study. After MRI, the DPOAE test was performed twice on 17 patients (33 ears) (immediately after MRI and 30 minutes after MRI). The changes in the results of the tests taken before MRI (pre-MRI), immediately after MRI (post-MRI 1), and at 30 minutes after MRI (post-MRI 2) in the DPOAE amplitudes at all frequencies were compared statistically.

There was a significant difference between pre-MRI, post-MRI 1, and post-MRI 2 measurements at 3, 6, and 8 kHz. In pairwise comparisons; post-MRI 1 was statistically lower than post-MRI 2 at 3 kHz, and post-MRI 1 was statistically lower than pre-MRI and post-MRI 2 at 6 and 8 kHz. In addition, post-MRI 2 was significantly lower than pre-MRI at 8 kHz.

According to these results, 3T MRI noise does not have any permanent negative impact on hearing functions. It can only cause DPOAE amplitude changes at high frequencies. This is a clinically negligible effect. Therefore, it can be considered that the 3T MRI examination with protective headphones does not cause any adverse side effects in terms of hearing functions.